In many parts of the country kids are already back at school and the rest of the children will be starting right after Labor Day. While the college football season is kicking off, most families don’t realize that applying for free financial aid is literally right around the corner for 2018. The problem is that most people don’t understand how the process actually works and often sell themselves short of getting free money that could help offset the growing cost of college. Here are seven mistakes that could crush your ability to get free money for 2018. Fill out the FAFSA form on October 1st – If you are interested in getting the most possible money from the Free Application For Student Aid, then you must fill out the forms by October 1st. Some of the financial awards are issued on a first come first serve basis, so when you fill out the form matters. Some states and some colleges ...

With interest rates continuing to hover around record low rates, Gen X’ers and Baby Boomers are swallowing up investment properties all around the United States. Even though last week an article came out from the N.Y. Times that home ownership is down to a record low of 62.9% (which is the lowest in fifty years), the developments being built around your neighborhoods seem to continue to sell at a record rate. One of the main questions we get all the time from people who buy investment real estate or rental properties centers around whether to hold the property individually, hold it in an LLC, and whether or not you need a separate company if you plan to manage these properties on your own. Let’s go through an example of why you might want to have an LLC. You have a tenant who has rented your property up on the lake this summer. They decide to bring a few friends out ...

Shopping is usually an activity that makes you spend money. In fact, with the ease of debit cards and credit cards today you can rack up big bills by simply turning your computer on to one of the major shopping websites. So, I thought going into the summer it might be interesting to see what apps you could download that might actually pay YOU money to shop. Ibotta (www.ibotta.com) – Did you ever thing you could get paid to scan receipts from your phone? Before you go shopping, you complete a few simple tasks and then you begin to unlock rewards. With over 187 participating stores (and you can link loyalty accounts as well) it makes it very easy to make money with Ibotta. Really, you end up just scanning bar codes and then taking pictures of your receipts. Swagbucks (www.swagbucks.com) – With over $132,470,000 of gift cards that have been awarded to users, Swagbucks is an app that will ...

Americans aren’t quite sure what to make of this three ring circus we are calling a Presidential election. With the nomination fairly certain to be Donald Trump on the Republican side, there has been major discussion about what a Trump President might look like for the future of our economy. Will he borrow more money? Will he balance the budget? Will he build a wall? Will he bring jobs back to America? These are amongst the many issues that have been speculated about on the media outlets across the country. Here are my smart money moves on where to invest under a Trump regime. Infrastructure- While I cannot give you specific stocks, mutual funds, or exchange traded funds (you’ll have to call me or e-mail me for that info;), I will divulge that this will be one of the best opportunities under a Trump presidency. Consider this for a moment. . . If you have a parent or grandparent that ...

The Department Of Labor is at it again, now changing the game for businesses as it pertains to overtime rules. Since, that is what we really need . . . some more rules. If it wasn’t challenging enough for small businesses dealing with making payroll and figuring out to maintain the costs of health insurance, now you’ll have to pay double attention to these new overtime rules which will become effective December 1st. Here’s a bet I’m willing to make on the record. The cost for businesses across the country to manage and track all of these changes will far supersede the benefits that will actually be paid for people working overtime. The administration believes by making these changes that many hard working Americans will earn overtime, but let me clue everyone in on four your smart money moves secrets. Right now, if you are a salaried worker who makes in between $23,660 and $47,476 and you have a reasonable ...

These days there are so many social media platforms it is overwhelming. Each service caters to a specific social activity. When it comes to doing business, LinkedIn stands out at the top of the pack. If you already have a LinkedIn profile, you know it serves as a kind of online resume. But if you just hope someone is looking at you, then you are missing out. No matter what business you are in, using the site to form connections can be a great benefit. So how do you increase engagement on the site to become a LinkedIn leader? Try these steps. Request connections/send messages regularly. Spend at least 30 minutes each week searching for new connections to build your network. Ask your current connections for introductions to relevant people in their networks. Also look to join groups that will drive the type of connections you are looking for. Send ‘thank you’ messages when you make a new connection. Make ...

In today’s workplace, we see new kinds of titles popping up all over the place on how companies name their people. Our good friend Cody Hicks who works as a leader at Atlanta Eats (you must watch the show) carries the title Chief Brisket Officer. When we started with our first employee at the front desk of oXYGen Financial, we used the term Director of First Impressions instead of some bland front desk title. I have also seen titles in large companies such as Chief People Officer, Chief Revenue Officer, and Chief Technology Officer which have replaced old antiquated titles. But, when is enough . . . enough? There are so many new titles today that I miss the titles that really described who people are and what they really do for a job. Here is my list of what they called me then and what they call me now. THEN NOW BARTENDER MIXOLOGIST GARBAGE PERSON SANITATION ENGINEER HAIRDRESSER COSMETOLOGIST ...

There are many individuals and families who make a high income and believe they cannot do a Roth IRA. However, there is a part of your financial house you may not have realized that existed called the “Back Door” Roth IRA. So, why do so many people miss this great opportunity? According to the Investment Company Institute, only 18.6 million U.S. households (about 15.7%) owned Roth IRAs in 2011. Do that few Americans want tax-free income in retirement? Who can generally contribute to a Roth IRA? There are three ways to fund a Roth IRA–you can contribute directly, you can convert all or part of a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA, or you can roll funds over from an eligible employer retirement plan. In general, you can contribute up to $5,500 to an IRA (traditional, Roth, or a combination of both) in 2016 ($6,500 if you’ll be age 50 or older by December 31). However, your ability to make ...

For many families in America, sending your children to summer camp is a family tradition. When I went to camp at Speers-Eljibar in the Poconos as a child, I can distinctly remember learning how to canoe, ride a horse, and most of all having fun playing tons of games and activities. However, summer camps can cost your family and arm and a leg if you aren’t careful on how to look out for a bargain. Here are some your smart money moves tips on how to save money on summer camps. Ask about the “group” discount- Even though your children may want to go to different summer camps, some camps will offer a discount if multiple children attend the same camp. If you can get some consensus amongst your kids, this can save you a few bucks going into the summer. Be an ‘early’ bird- Just like registering for a conference, camps like it when they know that guaranteed income ...

Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS), Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advisory Services offered through Kestra Advisory Services, LLC (Kestra AS), an affiliate of Kestra IS. Oxygen Financial is not affiliated with Kestra IS or Kestra AS. Kestra IS and Kestra AS do not provide tax or legal advice.

This site is published for residents of the United States only. Registered Representatives of Kestra IS and Investment Advisor Representatives of Kestra AS may only conduct business with residents of the states and jurisdictions in which they are properly registered. Therefore, a response to a request for information may be delayed. Not all products and services referenced on this site are available in every state and through every representative or advisor listed. For additional information, please contact Kestra IS Compliance Department at 512-697-6000.

PLEASE NOTE: The information being provided is strictly as a courtesy. When you link to any of the web sites provided here, you are leaving this web site. Kestra IS and Kestra AS makes no representation as to the completeness or accuracy of information provided at these web sites. Nor is Kestra IS and Kestra AS liable for any direct or indirect technical or system issues or any consequences arising out of your access to or your use of third-party technologies, web sites, information and programs made available through this web site. When you access one of these web sites, you are leaving our web site and assume total responsibility and risk for your use of the web sites you are linking to.